The information is being provided for members of AFSCME Local 2960 about the upcoming elections on August 25, 2015. Below are a list of propositions that will be on the ballot and our recommendations. Early voting begins July 30, 2015We recommend voting YES on the following propositions:PROPOSITION 104: if passed will create a tax of seven-tenths of a penny for a period of 35 years beginning January 1, 2016. If passed this proposition will support a plan offering more transportation choices including light rail and buses as well as builds and improves public streets and roadways, Increases transparency and public input and government accountability. All expenditures shall be reviewed by a Citizens Transportation Committee.

All the information provided is from the ballot book that is sent out to registered voters. What is not in the book is that a portion of the funds generated will go towards hiring police officers. My thought is the increased security may be part of the monies for that. This is the only proposition that I could find that has any opposition comments listed in the ballot book.PROPOSITION 103: In a nut shell, this is the City’s attempt to fix what they did in 2012 when they got a proposition passed to increase the amount of monies contributed by employees hired after July 1, 2013. This created a 2 tier system in the COPERS pension system with the idea that the employee and city would share a 50/50 split on contributions into the system. What they did not see was employees paying 15% or more of their paychecks. With this issue the city is finding it difficult in getting new employees to stay with the City of Phoenix. This proposition if passed will put a cap on this contribution of 11% and create a 3 tier pension system starting January 1, 2016.This also puts a $125,000 cap on compensation used to calculate pension benefits. What does this mean for you, this means no more David Cavazos and Frank Fairbanks type retirements where they are making more in retirement than when working for the city. This proposition is estimated to have a savings of $38.8 million over 20 years.PROPOSITION 100: General Plan provides direction for development, conservation and infrastructure investments in the City. This proposition does change and current land use, designations, zoning or raise taxes. It talks about the five core values Connect People and Places, Strengthen Our Local Economy, Celebrate Our Divers Communities & Neighborhoods, Build the Sustainable Desert City and Create an Even More Vibrant Downtown.I am sure we will have to keep a close eye on the council when it comes to them using this particular proposition if were to pass, but it does promote financial growth and development we would hope help the city with its money issues.PROPOSITION 101: City of Phoenix Locally Controlled Alternative Expenditure Limitation. This is a continuation of a process already in place since 1981. This allows the City of Phoenix to alternatively spend only a certain amount of money every fiscal year for the next 4 years.PROPOSITION 102: This proposition if adopted would allow the city to issue payments in the form of warrants, checks, electronic transfers, or any other form or method of payment authorized by the City Manager or City Clerk. Approximately 150,000 payments are made every year by the city; this does not include payroll warrants (pay checks). The finance department estimates this will save the city $250,000.Again these are only recommendations. All information on the propositions are available in the ballot book mailer.

In one of the biggest court cases in the history of the City of Phoenix for its employees and certainly the biggest court case in this locals history. Today Judge Roger Brodman of the Maricopa County Court ruled in the unions favor in the court case 'Piccioli versus the City of Phoenix'. Judge Broadman ruled that when the city froze the sick leave of all employees back in 2012 for retirement purposes that they violated our contract as well as the Arizona Constitution. The city lied and violated our rights and we showed them!

This three year battle has cost this local, along with AFSCME 2384 and ASPTEA, hundreds of thousands of dollars, hundreds of donated union hours and huge amount of personal and vacation time...

but in winning this case we show the city, the politicians, the Goldwater Institute and others that:

The city cannot control its employees and change benefits simply because they want to.

It means that our case has nationwide implications in protecting the retirement of city workers.

It frees up thousands of dollars per person that will go with you into your retirement.

It means checks for hundreds of our retirees in the thousands of dollars.

It means those ready to retire get a significant boost to their yearly salary.

It means that those for the past 3 years that got nothing in their sick leave bank for retirement get the money they deserve.

It means that this union, with its members, staff, and stewards told the city ENOUGH TAKING when it comes to our hard earned money and benefits! That we will no longer sit and watch everything we worked for being taken away. This cry will continue during this years negotiations.

ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

This victory along with our victory in defeating the pension killing Proposition 487 in November and in our push to pass Proposition 103 next month to stop the pay coming out our new Tier 2 employees shows that with unity and Solidarity we can win against our enemies. We will continue to fight and NEVER yield to the forces that demonize us and the forces that try to strip away our pay and benefits.

Show the non members today how this union fights and tell them to join!!

Donate union hours to help us fight!

And be PROUD....SO PROUD of our union. Against HUGE odds and massive city and top level attorneys this local won and told the city ENOUGH!